Pregnancy loss and the workplace – Marks & Spencer
What prompted your charity to look at taking the Pregnancy Loss Pledge?
At M&S, we’re committed to supporting all colleagues who suffer the loss of a pregnancy or child, whether it happens directly to them, to their partner or their baby’s surrogate mother. We recognise that each experience of baby loss is unique and not everyone will feel able to talk about their experiences or feel that they need help. However, it is our role at M&S to create a trusting environment in which colleagues know there is always help and support available to them, should they need it.
How did you go about this?
At M&S we have had a standalone policy for circumstances of baby loss for a few years. However, we decided to sign the Pregnancy Loss Pledge after it was suggested to us by a colleague, as part of our CEO suggestion scheme, ‘Straight to Stuart’. We saw the pledge as a great way to consolidate our existing support, and we were pleased to make our stance an external commitment too.
What was the end result?
We have a standalone policy to ensure that all colleagues who have been affected by pregnancy loss/baby loss, have the support they need. This includes paid leave, flexibility returning to work that suits each colleague’s circumstances, as well as specialist support through our Employee Assistance Programme. This includes whether it happens to them, their partner or the surrogate having their baby – and there is no limit, if they are affected by more than one loss.
Importantly, we also want to respect the privacy of our colleagues. Within our policy we acknowledge how difficult it can be to discuss matters as personal as this in general, let alone at work. As such, our policy makes it clear that if colleagues would prefer not to disclose their experience in the workplace, they have the option to take sickness absence leave that will not count towards our absence triggers.
Did you receive any assistance from the Miscarriage Association?
The Miscarriage Association have a wealth of information, support and resources, all of which we have signposted to help affected colleagues and their Line Managers. We are committed to supporting our colleagues, and we appreciate all of the work that that Miscarriage Association does to help people through such challenging moments.